An atom has 98 protons and 151 neutrons. If it undergoes alpha decay, what are the number of protons and neutrons, respectively, in the daughter nucleus?

The atom goes down two in the atomic number and 4 in the mass number...

If this atom has 98 protons, the element is Californium (Cf).
The atomic number becomes 96.
Then since the mass is 249 amu (98 protons+151 neutrons) usually, it goes down by 4. So now it is 245.

Therefore the number of protons in the new atom is 96 and the number of neutrons is 149 (245-96).

During alpha decay, an atom emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, the number of protons in the daughter nucleus will be 98 - 2 = 96, and the number of neutrons will be 151 - 2 = 149.

So, the daughter nucleus will have 96 protons and 149 neutrons, respectively.

To determine the number of protons and neutrons in the daughter nucleus after alpha decay, we need to understand what actually happens during alpha decay and how it affects the atomic structure.

During alpha decay, an alpha particle (which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons) is emitted from the nucleus of the parent atom. This means the parent atom loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons during the decay process.

Given that the parent atom has 98 protons and 151 neutrons, we can subtract 2 from each to determine the number of protons and neutrons in the daughter nucleus.

Number of protons in daughter nucleus: 98 - 2 = 96
Number of neutrons in daughter nucleus: 151 - 2 = 149

Therefore, the daughter nucleus will have 96 protons and 149 neutrons after alpha decay.